We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




3D Morphing Predicts Future Human Skeletal Anatomy

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 10 Jan 2017
Print article
Image: The evolution of the hip joint (Photo courtesy of Oxford University/OOEG).
Image: The evolution of the hip joint (Photo courtesy of Oxford University/OOEG).
New interactive three-dimensional (3D) models of human joints show how common medical complaints have arisen, and how humans are likely to evolve in the future.

Created at the University of Oxford (United Kingdom), the 3D computer models were generated by compiling 128-slice computerized tomography (CT) scans of bones from humans, early hominids, primates, and dinosaurs. In all, the researchers scanned 224 bone specimens, spanning 350 million years from the Devonian period to the modern day. They then used spatial engineering and mathematical methods to provided new insights into morphological trends associated with common orthopedic complaints, such as anterior knee pain and shoulder pain.

For example, as species evolved from moving around on four legs to standing up on two, the so-called neck of the thigh bone grew broader to support the extra weight; and the thicker the neck of the thigh bone, the more likely it is that arthritis will develop. In the shoulder, the researchers found that an anatomical gap through which tendons and blood vessels normally pass through got narrower over time, making it more difficult for tendons to move, which could explain why some people experience pain when they reach overhead.

The samples used in the study were of joints located in the shoulders, hips, and knees of amphibious reptiles dinosaurs, shrews, tupaiae, lemurs, primates, A. Afarensis (known as Lucy), Homo Erectus (the Turkana Boy), and Neanderthals. By comparing the modern and ancient samples, the researchers hope to gain a better insight into the origins and solutions to common orthopedic complaints. In addition, extrapolation of these morphologic trends has allowed the 3D printing of possible future skeletal shapes as humans evolve.

“Throughout our lineage we have been adapting the shape of our joints, which leads to a range of new challenges for orthopedic surgeons. Recently there has been an increase in common problems such as anterior knee pain, and shoulder pain when reaching overhead, which led us to look at how joints originally came to look and function the way they do,” said lead author Paul Monk, MD, PhD, of the Oxford Orthopaedic Evolutionary Group (OOEG). “These models will enable us to identify the root causes of many modern joint conditions, as well as enabling us to anticipate future problems that are likely to begin to appear based on lifestyle and genetic changes.”

Related Links:
University of Oxford

Gold Member
Solid State Kv/Dose Multi-Sensor
AGMS-DM+
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
Silver Member
Wireless Mobile ECG Recorder
NR-1207-3/NR-1207-E
New
Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilizer
HMA-30

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: The permeable wearable electronics developed for long-term biosignal monitoring (Photo courtesy of CityUHK)

Super Permeable Wearable Electronics Enable Long-Term Biosignal Monitoring

Wearable electronics have become integral to enhancing health and fitness by offering continuous tracking of physiological signals over extended periods. This monitoring is crucial for understanding an... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: NTT and Olympus have begun the world\'s first joint demonstration experiment of a cloud endoscopy system (Photo courtesy of Olympus)

Cloud Endoscopy System Enables Real-Time Image Processing on the Cloud

Endoscopes, which are flexible tubes inserted into the body's natural openings for internal examination and biopsy collection, are becoming increasingly vital in medical diagnostics. Their minimal invasiveness... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The PATHFAST hs-cTnI-II high-sensitivity troponin assay has been developed for the PATHFAST Biomarker Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Polymedco)

POC Myocardial Infarction Test Delivers Results in 17 Minutes

Chest pain is the second leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits by adults in the United States, generating over 7 million visits annually. In the event of a suspected heart attack, physicians... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.